Africa-Press – Liberia. Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill has articulated his opposition to the controversial Orantos Petroleum agreement and the recently passed 2026 National Budget.
In a public statement, Senator McGill said his decision to vote against the Orantos deal was driven solely by considerations of national interest and economic prudence, rejecting claims that his stance was influenced by partisan or political motivations. He described the agreement as poorly structured and inconsistent with Liberia’s long-term development priorities.
Senator McGill stated that after reviewing the details of the agreement, he concluded that the deal does not adequately protect Liberia’s interests or guarantee meaningful benefits for the country and its citizens. According to him, approving such agreements without sufficient value and safeguards risks undermining national sovereignty and economic stability.
The Orantos Petroleum agreement, which was recently ratified by the National Legislature following prolonged and sometimes tense deliberations, has sharply divided lawmakers, civil society actors, and economic experts. Supporters of the deal argue that it will stimulate investment in Liberia’s energy sector and contribute to economic growth, while critics maintain that the terms lack transparency and fail to offer commensurate returns to the Liberian people.
Senator McGill has aligned himself with the latter view, warning that poorly negotiated investment agreements can mortgage national resources without delivering sustainable development outcomes.
He emphasized that Liberia must be cautious in approving concessions and partnerships that could have long-term implications for the economy and future generations.
In clarifying his position, Senator McGill stressed that his opposition to the Orantos agreement should not be interpreted as hostility toward foreign investment. He revealed that he voted in favor of other major concession agreements, including those involving HPX and TotalEnergies, which he said demonstrated clearer economic benefits and stronger alignment with national development goals.
According to Senator McGill, his support for those agreements was based on their perceived value, transparency, and potential to contribute meaningfully to infrastructure development, job creation, and revenue generation. He noted that lawmakers have a responsibility to evaluate each agreement on its merits rather than adopting a blanket approach to approval or rejection.
Beyond the Orantos deal, Senator McGill also expressed opposition to the 2026 National Budget, which was passed at an estimated US$1.2 billion, making it one of the largest budgets in Liberia’s history. While acknowledging that he was not present in the Senate chamber during the final vote due to what he described as an urgent family emergency, McGill made it clear that his absence should not be interpreted as support for the spending plan.
He stated that he does not support the budget and believes it fails to address critical issues affecting public-sector workers and ordinary Liberians. The passage of the budget has drawn mixed reactions, with government officials and supporters citing its size as evidence of economic progress, while critics argue that increased spending has not translated into improved living conditions for the majority of citizens.
Central to Senator McGill’s opposition are unresolved concerns surrounding salary increments for civil servants and employees of the Capitol Building. He said these issues were repeatedly raised during legislative discussions but were not adequately addressed by the committee responsible for reviewing the budget.
According to the Margibi County lawmaker, assurances were given that worker welfare would be prioritized, yet the final budget failed to resolve longstanding salary disputes. He argued that approving a significantly expanded budget without addressing the compensation concerns of public-sector workers sends the wrong signal and undermines morale within the civil service.
Senator McGill noted that despite the increase in the national budget to US$1.2 billion, many civil servants continue to struggle under the pressure of rising living costs and economic uncertainty. He said this reality makes the budget unacceptable in its current form and inconsistent with the government’s stated commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce.
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